'United lack any sense' - Martinez hits out at United over Fellaini and Baines bid

The Express | Aug 23

Roberto Martinez has questioned the behaviour and acumen of Manchester United’s new hierarchy accusing them of lacking “common sense” in their pursuit of Everton duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.

But the Everton manager would not guarantee both players would still be at the club when the transfer window closes as relations took another downturn.

Martinez drew comparisons between the workings of the current regime at Old Trafford headed by chief executive Ed Woodward and manager David Moyes and predecessors David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes left Goodison Park after 11 years to succeed Ferguson at the end of last season and angered Everton with a £28million joint offer for two players he nurtured into Premier League stars.

But the instant rebuttal of last week’s approach has also brought the dealings of Woodward who stepped up from commercial director following Gill’s departure into the spotlight with United having failed to land any major transfer targets as yet. Martinez decried the bid for Baines who was valued at £12m and Fellaini who was pitched at £16m – less than the £17.5m he cost from Standard Liege – as lacking “common sense” and representing a departure from protocol.